Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce

This Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce is perfect for all your favorite Italian dishes!  Whether served over pasta and meatballs, layered in your favorite lasagna stuffed peppers, alongside some yummy fried calamari, or paired with baked chicken strips or Parmesan Crusted Chicken, this quick homemade marinara will deliver every time!

There are serveral Italian sauces that seem very similar but they all have slightly different flavors and consistancies.

Let's start with Marinara Sauce.

What is Marinara Sauce?

Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions. It's a thinner, brighter sauce that requires less time to cook.

Marinara VS Pasta Sauce

These two sauces are made with many of the same ingredients, pasta sauce is simmered longer and has a thicker, more rich and robust flavor. And it's often referred to as "gravy" in many Italian homes.

My homemade marinara sauce requires only a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge.

Mariana Sauce Ingredients

• 1 small onion, grated or pureed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup parsley, finely chopped
• 44 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes, (two 22-ounce cans)
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 4-ounce canned tomato paste
• 8 ounces water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt & pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Now let's go over how these ingredients come together to make this marinara sauce recipe.

How to Make Marinara Sauce

• Place a saucepot on the stove over medium heat, and add the olive oil.
• Add the grated onion, sprinkle with half the salt and pepper, and cook for 4 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
• Next, mix in the tomato paste and allow the mixture to cook for 4 minutes.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, parsley, and the rest of the salt and pepper.
• Turn the heat down slightly so the marinara isn’t shooting out of the pot and allow it to cook for 20 minutes.

Tip: For a smoother texture use an emersion blender or food processor and puree the mixture.

With just a few ingredients and about 30 minutes you'll have a hearty homemade marinara sauce recipe that's delcious and easy make!

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